Author Topic: My first Mustachian year  (Read 5705 times)

Marianne

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My first Mustachian year
« on: January 05, 2015, 04:23:17 AM »
Iīm kind of proud of myself when looking back at my first Mustachian year (it was not a complete year, I started reading the blog in June I guess). However, I have made some changes since then and I must share them with other Mustachians :-)

- I cancelled our cleaning lady (saves 100€/month)
- cancelled our window cleaning service (saves 60€/4 months)
- stopped using the dryer (except for towels bcs of very hard water)
- started wasching clothes with lower temperatures
- started using saving programm for the dishwasher
- switched to a free internet provider for our mobiles (both my husband and me), now we have 100MB/month free which is enough as we have wi-fi at work and at home, it is connected with a prepaid card - total costs for both of us max. 5€/month (rather 3-4€)
- stopped using an additional fridge, it was used only for drinks, now we switch it on only when expecting guests
- always check that there is no light on in the rooms we are not using at the moment
- cancelled some magazins abonements (still 4 to go)
- started using my bike for shopping groceries (not always bcs I like to buy a lot once a week, but if I forget something or need just a few things, I bike)
- shortened showering times
- cut and color my hair, cut my sonīs hair, my husband also cuts his hair, but thatīs nothing new
- organised a low cost birthday party for my son
- didnīt buy any new clothes and shoes (except for one hoodie on sale for 7,90€ that I really needed)
- started to cook more
- started to track our spendings (in December, but started in January again bcs there were many additional costs in December and we were also 1 week on vacation)
- prepared meals for travelling/vacation - we did not buy anything on the way and we cooked every evening together with my family
- started planning meals one week ahead - also for my husbandīs lunches
- my husband started taking his lunch to work
- approx. 45% saving rate/month
- decluttered the basement and sold many old things (toys, clothes, my old iphone...)
- put 1500€ every month to our saving account


further plans:
 - track our spendings - make a food budget (I have no idea at the moment how much we spend, I estimate 400-500€/month - 2 adults+1kid
- reduce trash - we have to pay for a trash bin based on its size - want to reduce the size from 120l to 80l/2weeks - should save 90€/year
- switch newspapers to e-papers (possible for 2 out of 4, depends on my husband, I would do that immediatelly)
- track our energy costs, possibly change the provider
- change the light bulbs (LED in rooms which are used very often - kitched, bathroom...)
- use anti-limescale washing powder - no need to use the dryer anymore for towels, reduces the amount of the washing powder, saves energy
- explain my husband he can wear his shirts two days (office work) - 50% less ironing for me and also less clothes for washing
Added: - gym membership: I don't want to cancel it, but I need a flexibel one, looks like it should be possible to switch to a membership that can be cancelled every time, e.g. I don't need it from June to August, i never go there so why should I pay? In September I will come back.


I will add some more when I have new ideas

Feel free to mke suggestions/criticise... Thanks:-)
Overall, Iīm happy with my first yearsīs results
« Last Edit: January 05, 2015, 07:19:40 AM by Marianne »

skunkfunk

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Re: My first Mustachian year
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2015, 12:41:06 PM »
Congrats! Great work.

Annamal

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Re: My first Mustachian year
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2015, 02:36:23 PM »
Well done!

bwall

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Re: My first Mustachian year
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2015, 02:55:41 PM »
Congrats! Have you moved to Swabia yet? :) I think that if you move there you automatically get enrolled in classes at the VHS about saving money. . . ..

mxt0133

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Re: My first Mustachian year
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2015, 03:03:17 PM »
The trash bin fee should be universal!  In the US only some counties charge individual homes while most cities just roll it into the city/municipality taxes.  I think if people actually knew the price there were paying to throw their crap away we would consciously try to reduce our waste.   

OddOne

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Re: My first Mustachian year
« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2015, 03:06:43 PM »
Great progress Marianne! Nice first year.

Annamal

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Re: My first Mustachian year
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2015, 04:13:51 PM »
The trash bin fee should be universal!  In the US only some counties charge individual homes while most cities just roll it into the city/municipality taxes.  I think if people actually knew the price there were paying to throw their crap away we would consciously try to reduce our waste.

Our city is sneaky, they sell very expensive rubbish bags (the only kind which will be collected) but recycle for free (but are sticklers for not collecting unrecyclable recycling).

PencilThinMust

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Re: My first Mustachian year
« Reply #7 on: January 05, 2015, 05:59:41 PM »
Impressive!

EDSMedS

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Re: My first Mustachian year
« Reply #8 on: January 05, 2015, 06:19:22 PM »
Dang!  Very impressive!!!!

You had quite a bit of "low hanging fruit." LOL.  Now comes some close shaving.  You didn't mention your work/housing/activities situation, but I recommend:
- try to grow some food! 
- compost food scraps to reduce waste
- do you pay for television?  Get rid of television!
- utilize public libraries for entertainment
- instead of a gym membership, buy a squat rack, straight bar, and some bumper plates.  Get comfortable with squats, deadlifts, pullups, overhead presses, box jumps, and sprints.  All else is waste.
- start taking family walks (cheap, great for health and communication, replaces other mindless "entertainment," helps you get to know your local area)

I can't wait to hear about year two!!

takeahike

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Re: My first Mustachian year
« Reply #9 on: January 05, 2015, 06:36:54 PM »
Congrats! I too started reading this website in June and implemented many of the same changes.





Marianne

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Re: My first Mustachian year
« Reply #10 on: January 06, 2015, 03:15:55 AM »
Thank you all for your comments!

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Congrats! Have you moved to Swabia yet? :) I think that if you move there you automatically get enrolled in classes at the VHS about saving money. . . ..

:-)))) Iīm going to teach those classes one day!

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You had quite a bit of "low hanging fruit." LOL.  Now comes some close shaving.
Thatīs true. But honestly, it feels like a second (or in my case a third) job... the cleaning, cooking etc. But I guess I just have to get used to it and it will become a routine. Also, the MMMīs article about cleaning your own wallet helped me to see things more relaxed.

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- try to grow some food!
- compost food scraps to reduce waste
it is not possible in our current home, but I would like to start at least with some herbs in flower pots or small things that donīt have to be in a garden. I must definitely read more about this topic.

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do you pay for television?  Get rid of television!
unfortunetely yes. Itīs a source of very heated discussions btw my husband and me and Iīm trying to persuade him to cancel the cabel, but he is very persistent. We will see, but I wonīt give up:-)

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utilize public libraries for entertainment
I guess there is a significant difference btw German (small town) and US libraries. I have read here in many topics about it that you get free movies and good books there. We only have one library in our town and itīs ok for childrensībooks and CDs (I havenīt bought any of these for years), but not so much for adults. You can forget movies and books... well, the offer is quite limited and I like to read English and French book in their original language and those books arenīt available at all. Iīm not happy with the library at all. You can suggest a book title that you would like to have there and if you are lucky, they buy it. I have done that once, there is a great book about financial issues for children (25€) and it was too expensive for them.

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instead of a gym membership, buy a squat rack, straight bar, and some bumper plates.
Iīm actually thinking about making a trainer licence. It would be even more badass, wouldnīt it? I love sports, Iīm in a good shape, so why not to have it as a side job?

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start taking family walks (cheap, great for health and communication, replaces other mindless "entertainment," helps you get to know your local area)
YES!!!
I love them and we take them regurarly (mostly at the weekends) and I try to make them longer and longer. In fact, Iīm preparing my son for a hiking vacation in July.

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Congrats! I too started reading this website in June and implemented many of the same changes.
Thank you! Have you done also some other changes that I didnīt mention?


I have to report some success since my last post:-)!!!
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explain my husband he can wear his shirts two days (office work) - 50% less ironing for me and also less clothes for washing
STRIKE!!!
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change the light bulbs (LED in rooms which are used very often - kitched, bathroom...)
I ordered some for my sonīs room.

Unionville

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Re: My first Mustachian year
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2015, 03:44:05 PM »
-I got rid of my landline and got google voice
-I got rid of my POB

Total savings $800 a year.

Also did not buy Christmas presents (only 1 for dad) or send cards: about $500 savings.

Bob W

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Re: My first Mustachian year
« Reply #12 on: January 13, 2015, 03:47:49 PM »
WE stand in awe!  You shall be awarded the silver level MMM lapel pen for 2014!

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!